Casey Asks Feds to Re-Route Oil Trains

Following two oil train derailments in Pennsylvania in a month—including one over the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia—Sen. Bob Casey is asking federal transportation officials to look at re-routing such shipments away from populated areas. YourErie.com has the copy of the full letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

“The recent events in Pennsylvania and others across the country raise serious questions that need to be looked at to prevent future accidents,” Casey wrote. “Moving forward, I believe that concrete steps must be taken to examine the effectiveness of speed reductions and, where possible and feasible, rerouting of trains.”

Casey also asked for reduced speed  limits on oil-carrying trains, increased safety standards for their shipping cars, and increased resources to local emergency officials to deal with derailments.

The National Transportation Safety Board last month reported that oil train crashes risk a major loss of life, and also suggested improved route planning.